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Hey guys,

I am going to be modelling some Eldar Rangers when I get home and I was hoping to make their bases very muddy... but I'm not talking about gloopy mud here, rather mud with pools of clear water.

How can you model clear water? I was thinking about basing the base first with fine sand painted scorched brown and then applying a mix of PVA and scorched brown onto that? Will that have the desired effect? I'll add highlights and random flock afterward.

I also see some guides suggest mixing sand with the glue, but I don't think that'll make it look fine enough.

My most important question is, if I use this method, do I BASE first or put down the mud first?

There are several water-effects in store, look for railroad modelling supplies and they will certainly have at least 3 or 4 different brands all claiming their superiority.

If it's just puddles though you might want to go for high gloss varnish in several coats. Mix with inks or washes for extra effect.

Woodland scenics water effects. Paint up the bases first, attach minis (painted separately) and do your matt varnish to seal on any flock, etc, and more importantly the paint. Then do the water - the water effects is quite sticky stuff, if you attempt to flock / static grass afterwards it'll get stuck in there. Apply it with a cocktail stick to your painted (and dried and sealed) pool surface. The varnish will prevent the water effects from leeching a lot of pigment from the paint.

Note by all accounts the WS Water Effects is different to the GW stuff - the WS stuff is thick, like PVA glue, but dries rubbery and clear. It's easy to put ripples and waves in it.

Good example on this scout:


This shot shows a splishy bit of the water effects:


The splashes are done by teasing the water effects as it begins to set to make contact with another dollop of it applied to the bottom of the foot. Takes a bit of practice, but works pretty well.

Oooh I like those results, I'll do the bases and leave gaps for some nice water like that!

I'll post back here when I get my hands on this stuff...

That scout looks epic.